A Sewing Journal

Month: April 2016

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As soon as I saw this pattern, Butterick 6285, announced, I was dying to make the wrap top. And now I finally have!

I highly recommend checking out Gertie’s sewalong posts in addition to the instructions. She tells you how to finish the sleeves by machine, plus I find her explanations much easier to follow. (I admit, I didn’t know what “break your stitching” meant, so her note was really helpful!)

Knowing this is a wrap top made of stretchy knit, I valiantly sewed a straight size (none of my usual adjustments for my waist being a size larger than my bust) according to my upper bust measurement (to account for my narrow shoulders). It ended up a bit small in the torso (very unusual for a Butterick pattern!), but I think it still looks great. Except, um, the sleeves a really tight. I’ve never had that problem before, so I’m wondering if maybe my fabric wasn’t stretchy enough? Or maybe I just do need to make it a size larger.

The other slightly off thing is that the main body of the top ends right at the bottom of my rib cage. That’s an awfully short crop top! Unfortunately, the pattern doesn’t include any lengthen/shorten lines, so I’m not sure how to fix that. But fortunately, this particular fabric is really stable and the ties are quite wide, so I can just wrap them in the right place to get it down to my natural waist. That said, this is the reason that if I make this again, I might only do so if I’m planing to layer it over dresses.

I also sewed this entirely on my regular machine using a straight stitch, per the instructions. It worked out perfectly fine, but I think next time I’d serge it so the seams are a bit less bulky (not that it’s at all noticeable, I think). Fabric is Red Rose Floral Bouquets on Black Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric from Girl Charlee and it’s so soft and gorgeous. It’s definitely a medium weight, and pretty easy to handle.

Anyway, it was quick to make and cute, so I’m pretty happy!

Spring/Summer Capsule Wardrobe

Dresses

Gray floral Lady Skater

Green dress (purchased)

Cream floral Lady Skater (this is a holdover from fall/winter that didn’t end up getting made then)

Calico Giselle

Calico Simplicity 1080 View A (I’m not 100% sure this pattern will work for me, but…I’m just dying to try it!)

This is based on McCall’s 5050, View A. I’ve made this pattern a couple of times before and knew that it was quite large. So since I was using a stretchy knit, I went ahead and cut out the extra small. I think I should’ve done larger sleeves so they have a bit more puff, but overall it’s certainly fine!

I made things tougher for myself by using strips of fabric to form the elastic casings rather than folding down the neckline and folding up the sleeves, PLUS that means that you can see the inside of the fabric! Argh! But it’s still sooo comfy and cute that, um, I’m going to just pretend it’s a “design feature.”

I added some nice cotton lace around the neckline and sleeves. I reallllly wanted to use it on the hem, but I was short about 5 inches. Oh well! Narrow hem on the serger it is.

This was sewn entirely on my serger, except for attaching the elastic casings.

Oh, yeah, and the ribbon bow on the center front. That’s just a requirement for peasant tops, right??

Spring/Summer Capsule Wardrobe

Dresses

Gray floral Lady Skater

Green dress (purchased)

Cream floral Lady Skater (this is a holdover from fall/winter that didn’t end up getting made then)

Calico Giselle

Calico Simplicity 1080 View A (I’m not 100% sure this pattern will work for me, but…I’m just dying to try it!)

I’ve made my Pinterest board for my spring/summer 2016 capsule wardrobe inspiration public. It has a very much earthy/natural/dark feel, similar to last year’s (you’ll see a lot of “mori” looks, though it’s not 100% what I’m going for–I like the layers, long skirts, ruffles, and dark/earthy colors, but I prefer fitted tops/bodices and defined waistlines). Last year I found myself both staring jealously at everyone wearing maxi skirts and really enjoying layering, so I’m consciously trying to add long skirts and layers. In addition, I’ve cut some things from my wardrobe that I just didn’t love all that much and was keeping “just in case.” I’m trying instead to focus on making items I really enjoy, each on their own. So far I have yet to “run out” of clothes. 🙂

So, without further ado, here is my spring/summer 2016 capsule wardrobe plan. (Bold items are to sew. I’ve actually already completed two of them, just haven’t gotten around to blogging about them.)

Spring/Summer Capsule Wardrobe

Dresses

Gray floral Lady Skater

Green dress (purchased)

Cream floral Lady Skater (this is a holdover from fall/winter that didn’t end up getting made then)

Calico Giselle

Calico Simplicity 1080 View A (I’m not 100% sure this pattern will work for me, but…I’m just dying to try it!)